This topic might raise an eyebrow or two!

I’m taking you a little behind the scenes on a topic that’s both unconventional and—if the science continues to hold up—potentially groundbreaking: the fourth phase of water.

I’ll admit: when I first heard about ‘the fourth phase of water’ I brushed it off; I chalked it up to another fringe theory.

But then last year, Dr. Gerald Pollack—yes, the leading researcher on this concept—was a keynote speaker at the Institute for Functional Medicine’s annual conference.

That’s when I realized it was worthy of a closer look.

What is the 4th phase of water?

We're all familiar with the classic phases of water - as a solid (ice), liquid, or vapor (steam). 

But Dr. Pollack’s research introduces a fourth phase—a structured, gel-like form of water called Exclusion Zone (EZ) water which forms when water molecules separate themselves into two areas based on their charge: 

• The exclusion zone (with a negative charge) 
• And the rest of the water (with a positive charge) 

This can be formed against any hydrophilic (water-loving) surface, including inside the human body. 

The term ‘Exclusion Zone’ (EZ) water comes from it’s unique properties:

• It forms a structured, negatively charged layer next to hydrophilic surfaces
• It excludes particles and solutes, creating a clean, ordered zone
• It absorbs infrared energy and converts it into usable biological energy

And here's where it gets fascinating: in Pollack’s experiments, this structured water doesn't just sit there—it can generate flow, even without pressure from a pump!  Wild, right?

Blood flow... beyond the heart?

In one experiment with chick embryos, Dr. Pollack and colleague Dr. Li demonstrated something wild: blood continued to flow after the heart had stopped beating, and this movement increased with exposure to infrared light.[1]

Rest assured I’m NOT suggesting you run out and buy an infrared sauna, nor is this newsletter funded by a company that makes them…I’ve included some practical suggestions for what you can do below.

In other labs, his team observed that fluid could move through narrow, hydrophilic channels (think: blood vessel-like tunnels) simply through the interaction of structured water and light.[2]

These findings suggest a secondary, complementary mechanism to the heart’s pumping action—one driven by the dynamics of structured water along vessel walls.

Why Functional Medicine is paying attention…

Functional medicine isn’t quick to jump on gimmicks—but it is known for being early to spot meaningful innovation.

• Functional medicine is all about system-based thinking. Structured water interacts with cellular hydration, blood flow, mitochondrial function, and detoxification—all cornerstones of functional medicine.
  
• Functional medicine investigates emerging science with curiosity and discernment.  Functional medicine providers were looking at the impact of environmental toxins, gut health, and subclinical markers for a long time before others caught on.  EZ water fits that same mold.

So, when a concept like this is given stage time at their annual international conference where practitioners are trained to question, test, and connect the dots—that’s often a harbinger of where the conversation is headed next.  Which is why I’m sharing it with you here.

But let’s keep it real here…

To be 100% clear: this concept is not part of the standard cardiovascular science, yet.

While these findings are intriguing and they suggest a possible biophysical mechanism by which structured water could influence microvascular flow, it is important to note that this concept is not part of mainstream cardiovascular physiology or clinical guidelines. 

The current consensus remains that the heart and vascular tone are the primary forces behind blood flow—and rightly so, for now.

Still, these findings open the door to a more nuanced understanding of what supports circulation, especially in micro-vasculature where things like infrared exposure, hydration, and mitochondrial energy production may play a bigger role than we thought.

How to support EZ Water in your daily life

Regardless of where the research lands long-term, you can support your body's structured water production with simple, health-aligned steps:

• Prioritize morning sunlight or gentle infrared exposure
• Hydrate with mineral-rich, filtered water
• Eat polyphenol-rich foods—think leafy greens, berries, cacao, and beets
• Try my Chimichurri recipe 
• Move regularly to keep circulation and hydration dynamic
• Minimize EMF exposure, which may interfere with water structuring. 

The bottom line

Even if EZ water doesn’t rewrite the textbook on cardiovascular physiology, it’s a reminder that our understanding of biology is always evolving. 

And sometimes, those shifts begin in the spaces that prioritize systems-thinking, curiosity, and evidence-based innovation—like functional medicine.

So no, I’m not trying to turn you into a water science fanatic or get you to unsubscribe for that matter either!

But I am here to keep you in the loop on what’s emerging—because understanding your body is a superpower we all deserve to harness.

Here’s to clarity, confidence, and vibrant health (for as long as we can have it) - one smart step at a time!

References:

1. Li, J., & Pollack, G. H. (2020). Blood Flow Without Pressure Gradient: IR-Driven Flow in Chick Embryo Vessels.
2. Zheng, J., et al. (2006). Surfaces and Interfacial Water: Evidence that Hydrophilic Surfaces Have Long-Range Impact.